2021
Mushu
Underdog of the Year 2021
Mushu was rescued from a government shelter in China where she was living in what can only be described as poverty. She had sores and bald patches all over her body from severe scabies mange and was very withdrawn and depressed. Had she not been rescued Mushu may have either ended up dying from neglect or being sold to the meat trade.
By the time Mushu was adopted by Abi and Adam she was not hanging about in proving that rescue dogs don’t come with baggage. She now sets a fantastic example to the dogs that Abi walks each day, encouraging play, picking up commands quickly and demonstrating good behaviour. She’s helped her new sister Lemon adjust to life in a home, and she was even selected to be a stooge dog by a local dog behaviourist to help reactive dogs!
Birdie
Runner up
Birdie is one of the oldest Underdogs we have ever rescued and she’s proof that you’re never too old to forgive and forget. Our Head of Adoptions, Eve, was in Romania when she saw what looked like a puppy with enormous ears pottering about in the road. They stopped the car to scoop her up and realised that she was actually a little old lady - as old as twelve! - with Grinch toes and no teeth.
Birdie was starving, very frail and very confused. She wolfed down the first few meals she had and desperately wanted to sleep. She was exhausted, her fur was matted, and she trembled constantly. But luckily, Birdie got an instant home, with Adam and Kenny, who are repeat Underdog adopters! She has brought nothing but joy to her family who have adored welcoming a senior dog into their pack.
Santiago
RUNNER UP
Santiago was surrendered to a shelter in Cyprus as a failed guard dog. He remained at the shelter being overlooked for years until he was finally found his home but it felt like the odds were stacked against him. Shortly before being adopted Santi was diagnosed with Leishmania, a parasitic disease, and then he very unexpectedly lost the mobility in his back legs which progressed to full paralysis.
Santi was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called polyradiculoneuritis (PRN), an autoimmune disorder which damages the nerves, causing muscle weakness. As there’s no treatment his family set about doing physiotherapy and hydrotherapy and after four months of perseverance and unconditional love, Santi started gaining mobility again. He’s now chasing cats and birds and being an absolute legend, as if nothing ever happened to him. He is everything to his family and they wouldn’t change a thing about him.
Goose
RUNNER UP
Goose was rescued as a frightened, skinny puppy in Cyprus. He had suffered neurological damage and a broken back leg from a collision with a car, and to begin with he found it hard to trust people and was very uncoordinated. He waited patiently in the shelter for two years before finally he was spotted by Victoire, who fell in love despite his differences. •
Goose now lives in London but his integration into the big city hasn’t been without its troubles. Goose is reactive and needs space. Goose’s needs have taught his family that all dogs are different, and they have likes, dislikes and fears just like people. His confidence has improved so much since he arrived and his personality now shines because his family have given him the time and understanding he needed to blossom. In turn, he’s provided them with non-stop love and loyalty, especially throughout lockdown.
Benson
Benson was found running through the streets of South London and taken to a local dog pound. His owner was never located despite continued efforts, and with just a couple of days left before he was due to be put to sleep we were asked if we could help him. Benson was very stressed, reactive, confused and misunderstood when he first came to us and due to his breed we suspect he might not always have been treated like the true softie he is at heart.
Now fully integrated into his forever home with a couple who adore him, Benson is finally living the good life. The adjustment wasn’t easy for him to start with but thanks to continued training and socialisation he has had the opportunity to thrive. Benson is now transformed from street dog to sofa hound, and finally he knows that he is loved. He was so close to losing his life through no fault of his own, but now he’s out here living his best one.
Lola
Lola was found, terrified, hiding in a rubbish skip. Her coat was matted, she smelt terrible and once taken to the vets they diagnosed a whole list of problems. Her injuries suggested she’d probably been hit by a car at high speed. She had two fractured femurs that had healed in the wrong position causing wonky legs and immense pain, the formation of a false joint, a lactated hip and a luxating kneecap.
On top of that she also had cherry eye (prolapsed gland in the third eyelid), bladder stones and a hernia so big that most of her organs had fallen into it. We weren’t sure how well Lola would adapt to a home with her nervous nature and wonky legs, but then Gillian saw her and fell in love. Already having a dog with mobility issues, we knew it was the right home. Lola’s progress since she was adopted has been unbelievable and her confidence has soared. She’s more affectionate, playful and free spirited than we could ever have imagined and we’re so proud of her.
Olive
Olive was rescued from a meat truck in China and was in a poor way. Her eye was bulging out of the socket and there was no way to save it, so she had to have it removed. When she joined the SHS safehouse she was hand shy and wasn’t so sure about people touching her. Who could blame her?
However, from the moment Olive’s sweet face was posted online, she had a home waiting for her in the UK. After months of waiting, finally a flight came up and Olive was on her way home to meet her new family. She is now glowing and has so much fun each and every day. She loves galloping through the fields and snuggling with her siblings, she has well and truly left the horrors of the meat trade behind her.
Spotty
Spotty was rescued as a puppy from the streets of India and unfortunately became very sick with distemper. He spent two months in a vet clinic receiving round the clock care but he was so poorly that it was a case of touch and go for many weeks. He suffered severe weight loss, had dangerously low blood platelets, and was affected by muscle spasms and lockjaw as a result of neurological impact from the virus.
However, he defied all odds and came back fighting! It wasn’t long before Spotty caught the eye of Jo and her family, and with the help of his rescuer Spotty was soon on a life changing flight to the UK all the way from India. He’ll always look a little different due to the effects of the Distemper on his jaw, but he’s the definition of a survivor and is now loving life in Cornwall.